Search
Explore the Archive
Search across 22,013 articles about elder fraud. Filter by fraud type, payment mechanism, or keywords.
8,448 results
in Robocalls / Phone Scams
fairfaxcounty.gov
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are increasingly hiding malicious links in QR codes placed in unexpected locations to trick people into compromising their personal information or accounts. The article provides protective measures including verifying QR code sources before scanning, avoiding codes in unsolicited messages, using secure QR scanners, and maintaining strong security practices on devices. Victims of "quishing" (QR code phishing) scams should contact local police and file reports through the Financial Crimes Information and Online Reporting System (FiCOR).
patriotledger.com
· 2025-12-08
"Smishing" scams falsely claiming unpaid tolls on Massachusetts toll roads (E-ZPass/EZDriveMA) have increased since January, with scammers sending text messages to randomly selected phone numbers requesting payment via fraudulent links. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation warns that legitimate EZDriveMA communications never request payment by text and all authentic links include www.EZDriveMA.com; victims should not click links, verify accounts directly through official websites, and report fraudulent messages to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
huffpost.com
· 2025-12-08
During the Los Angeles wildfires, scammers exploited disaster victims and donors through fake relief fundraisers impersonating celebrities like Kim Kardashian, fraudulent crowdfunding campaigns using stolen photos, fake charity websites, phishing emails posing as FEMA and the Red Cross, fake contractor services, and animal rescue scams. Security experts note that disaster scams proliferate because they combine vulnerability, urgency, and the public's desire to help, with perpetrators ranging from local individuals to organized crime syndicates. Potential victims should verify charities through official channels, avoid clicking unsolicited donation links, and be wary of upfront payment requests or overly urgent appeals
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
The FCC warned of a nationwide scam called "Green Mirage" in which fraudsters impersonate mortgage lenders to target homeowners across all 50 states. The scammers use stolen personal information, spoof caller IDs, threaten foreclosure, and pressure victims to send money via unusual methods such as money orders to fake attorneys or Green Dot Money Cards, resulting in hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses. Many victims only discover the fraud when their actual lender initiates foreclosure proceedings after the scammers have already collected payments.
nbcconnecticut.com
· 2025-12-08
Multiple Connecticut residents, including Deb Paulson, received scam text messages falsely claiming they owed money for EZ Pass tolling violations to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection advises recipients to verify suspicious messages by independently looking up legitimate phone numbers and websites, confirm whether they actually used tolls recently, and report the texts rather than responding to them; those who provided credit card information should contact their credit card companies and freeze their credit with major credit reporting agencies.
sportskeeda.com
· 2025-12-08
A 53-year-old French woman was defrauded of over $1 million by a scammer impersonating actor Brad Pitt through AI-generated images and fake text messages between February 2023 and 2024. The victim divorced her millionaire husband after the scammer proposed marriage, then sent $9,000 for customs fees and $800,000 from her divorce settlement after being told the actor needed money for kidney cancer treatment. She discovered the scam after seeing Brad Pitt with his actual girlfriend and filed a complaint in 2024; the scammer remains at large and the victim is undergoing treatment for severe depression.
newsweek.com
· 2025-12-08
A 53-year-old French woman lost $850,000 to a romance scam involving AI-generated images of actor Brad Pitt, beginning in 2023 when a scammer posed as Pitt and his mother on Facebook and eventually convinced her to divorce her wealthy husband and send funds for alleged medical treatment and customs fees. The victim only realized the deception when she saw Pitt with his actual girlfriend; she subsequently filed a complaint in 2024 and sought treatment for severe depression, while the scammer remains at large. The case exemplifies the growing threat of AI-enabled fraud, with Americans losing over $108 million to AI scams annually and an average loss of $14,600
patriotledger.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article warns about "smishing" scams—fraudulent text messages that trick recipients into clicking malicious links or providing personal information. Digital coach Grace Buscher recommends that targets question unexpected messages, verify requests through official channels, delete suspicious texts, and report them to authorities and their service providers. The article provides guidance for seniors and the general public to protect themselves from this growing scam threat.
news5cleveland.com
· 2025-12-08
Senior citizens in Northeast Ohio are increasingly targeted by imposter scams, with scammers using fear tactics like false emergency claims to pressure victims into immediate payment. Many victims avoid reporting due to shame or fear of losing independence, but authorities urge reporting to prevent future scams and access support services. Resources like the Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging and Cuyahoga County Scam Squad are available to help victims and educate seniors on recognizing and responding to fraud.
bethesdamagazine.com
· 2025-12-08
A 26-year-old Rockville man, Ravinklejeet Mathon, was sentenced to five years in prison for his role in a gold bar scam targeting a 94-year-old Silver Spring resident who nearly lost $230,000. Mathon posed as a federal agent, convincing the victim his identity had been stolen and directing him to purchase gold bars for safekeeping; detectives disrupted the scheme by substituting metal tools for the gold bars during a sting operation and arrested Mathon when he attempted to pick up the package. This was Montgomery County's first conviction in a local gold bar scam, and the case reflects a broader pattern of organized international fraud targeting elderly victims.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
iPhone users are receiving phishing text messages impersonating delivery services like USPS, DHL, and FedEx that trick recipients into replying with "Y" to disable iMessage's built-in link protection, allowing scammers to activate malicious URLs that may lead to pages requesting credit card information. To avoid the scam, users should verify sender details for spelling errors or suspicious numbers, check the official company website directly for delivery updates, and use iMessage's "Report Junk" feature before replying to suspicious messages.
timesofmalta.com
· 2025-12-08
Multiple Bank of Valletta customers lost thousands of euros after falling victim to scammers impersonating the Malta Finance Ministry through fraudulent phone calls, messages, and emails requesting personal banking information. The Finance Ministry issued a public warning clarifying that it never requests personal or banking details via these communication channels and advised recipients of suspicious communications to avoid sharing information, clicking links, or attachments, and to report incidents to authorities. Law enforcement and the ministry are collaborating to address the scam, which prompted multiple police reports when the bank identified the fraudulent activity.
bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Bengaluru is experiencing a sharp surge in APK (Android Package Kit) scams, with 225 cases registered by November 2024 compared to none in the same period in 2023. Scammers impersonate legitimate service providers (such as gas companies) via WhatsApp and calls, tricking victims into downloading malicious APK files that install malware to steal banking credentials and execute unauthorized transactions; two recent victims lost 3.2 lakh and 4.4 lakh rupees respectively. Experts advise users to avoid downloading unverified APK files, never share personal or financial details via calls or messages, and verify service authenticity before making payments
indiatoday.in
· 2025-12-08
A West Delhi man lost Rs 9 lakh after fraudsters posing as electricity department officials called him, initially requesting a small payment of Rs 13, then tricked him into downloading a malicious app that gave them remote access to his smartphone and bank account. Between December 29-31, the scammers conducted multiple unauthorized transactions, which the victim discovered and reported to police. The scam employed a common tactic of building trust through small initial payments and personal details before deploying malware to gain device access.
arynews.tv
· 2025-12-08
A 28-year-old software engineer in Bengaluru, India, lost Rs 1.2 crore (approximately $144,000 USD) in a "digital arrest" courier scam that began in December 2024 when she received a fraudulent call claiming she was involved in money laundering and had illegal items in a package. The scammer pressured her to transfer funds from her investments, borrowed money, and savings to verify her financial assets, promising a refund once her case was resolved, before disappearing with the funds. Police have opened an investigation into the case.
nij.ojp.gov
· 2025-12-08
A National Institute of Justice-funded analysis of seized scammer databases containing records on over 1.3 million victims from 1999-2018 found that older adults experienced disproportionate harm from mail fraud compared to younger victims. Victims in their 70s and 80s suffered more fraud incidents and lost significantly more money, with those in their 80s accounting for nearly 30% of total losses despite representing fewer than 15% of victims. The study also found that older adults were more likely to become repeat victims, with those in their 70s and 80s being 9% more likely to be defrauded again compared to victims in their 50s
scmp.com
· 2025-12-08
Scam factories operating in Myanmar's Myawaddy region, run primarily by Chinese crime gangs, have expanded operations along the Thai border despite rescue efforts and international pressure. These compounds use trafficked workers to perpetrate tens of billions of dollars in annual fraud globally through romance scams, investment schemes, and fake job offers via phone and social media, operating with impunity under protection of the Myanmar military and Karen Border Guard Force. The issue was highlighted by the recent rescue of Chinese actor Wang Xing, who was lured to the area through a fraudulent casting call.
newsbreak.com
· 2025-12-08
On January 9, 2025, Tulare Police arrested 28-year-old Hailong He in connection with an investment scam that defrauded an elderly victim of $130,000. The suspects posed as a trading company and used a fictitious phone application to convince the victim to invest money, arranging in-person cash pickups at his home and pressuring him for an additional $90,000 under false pretenses of account closure fees. Police conducted surveillance and apprehended the suspect during a planned third transaction, charging him with Financial Elder Abuse, Theft Under False Pretenses, and Grand Theft.
classicrock961.com
· 2025-12-08
Texas law enforcement is warning residents about four active scams targeting the state, with particular focus on impersonation scams where criminals falsely claim to be police officers, sometimes spoofing legitimate police phone numbers, and demand payment for alleged outstanding debts or missed court appearances to avoid arrest. One victim lost $9,500 in Bitcoin to this scam; police advise that legitimate law enforcement never requests payment by phone and recommend hanging up on suspicious callers and contacting your local non-emergency police line to verify.
michigan.gov
· 2025-12-08
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel warned Detroit Lions fans in January 2025 to be cautious when purchasing playoff game tickets online, as scammers exploit excitement around the team's playoff run. Common ticket scams include payment app fraud (using P2P services like Venmo, Cash App, and Zelle) and fake check schemes where buyers send counterfeit checks for more than the ticket price and request refunds. Nessel recommends only purchasing tickets through official sources and remaining vigilant about sharing personal information or accepting suspicious payment methods.
wibx950.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
An upstate New York senior lost over $10,000 in a phone scam on January 12, 2025, when scammers impersonated government agencies, utility companies, tech firms, or relatives to solicit money and personal information. The New Hartford Police Department is warning residents to never send money or gift cards over the phone, hang up on suspicious callers, verify claims independently, and report suspicious activity to local law enforcement.
paymentsjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
Criminals have discovered a method to bypass Apple's iOS phishing protections by instructing text message recipients to reply with simple responses like "yes" or "no," which reactivates disabled malicious links. iPhone users have received fraudulent texts impersonating USPS and toll agencies using this technique, and even replying to such messages identifies the user as active to scammers for further attacks. Security experts emphasize that technology companies, telecommunications providers, and financial institutions must collaborate to prevent these increasingly sophisticated phishing schemes, which often employ AI and impersonate legitimate companies at scale.
ptbotoday.ca
· 2025-12-08
The Peterborough Police Service issued a warning about a phishing scam circulating in the community, wherein victims received threatening emails falsely claiming their online activity was being monitored and demanding cryptocurrency payment to prevent disclosure to contacts. Police advise residents to avoid opening suspicious emails from unknown sources, refrain from clicking links, and report such messages to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre or local police.
abc12.com
· 2025-12-08
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel warned Lions fans about ticket scams ahead of the playoffs, advising buyers to purchase from reputable websites using credit cards and to avoid money transfer apps like CashApp and Venmo that offer limited fraud protection. The alert also cautioned against common scams including overpayment check schemes, impersonation calls from fake bank representatives, and unsecured websites, emphasizing that banks never request customers send money to verify transactions.
carscoops.com
· 2025-12-08
An Ohio woman lost over $600 in a rental car scam after finding a fake Hertz customer service number online and being convinced by a fraudster to purchase two Walmart gift cards to resolve a payment issue on her rental. The scammer claimed the first $320 gift card wasn't the exact amount needed, then requested a second $312 card before disconnecting the line and never reactivating her vehicle. The incident underscores that legitimate companies never request payment via gift cards, and victims should always verify phone numbers through official websites rather than online searches.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Tax scams resurface each season with scammers impersonating the IRS through phone calls, emails, and mail to pressure victims into paying taxes owed or stealing personal information via tax identity theft and phishing schemes. Key prevention strategies include filing taxes early, obtaining an Identity Protection PIN, verifying IRS communications through official channels, and using trusted tax professionals, as the IRS never initiates contact via email, text, or social media requesting personal or financial information.
indeonline.com
· 2025-12-08
Tax scams proliferate each season, with scammers impersonating the IRS through phone calls, emails, mail, and fake websites to steal money or personal information—tactics include demanding payment for back taxes with threats of arrest, filing fraudulent tax returns using victims' Social Security numbers, and phishing emails directing people to bogus IRS sites. To protect themselves, taxpayers should file early, use IRS Identity Protection PINs, verify caller identity independently with the IRS, watch for poor grammar in suspicious communications, use trusted tax preparers, and remember that the IRS never initiates contact via email, text, or social media requesting personal or financial information.
thestar.com.my
· 2025-12-08
Authorities warn that scammers use multiple tactics year-round to defraud victims, including "pig butchering" investment scams where perpetrators gain trust before stealing money (with one recent case involving a 66-year-old who lost $170,000 to a fake Facebook investment banker), AI-generated travel scams that have increased 500-900% and use fake websites and phishing, and utility scams where fraudsters impersonate companies like PG&E to demand immediate payment, causing customers over $334,000 in losses in 2024 alone. Experts recommend verifying suspicious offers directly with companies, avoiding clicking unknown links, paying attention to detail inconsistencies
desertsun.com
· 2025-12-08
Los Angeles officials are warning residents affected by recent wildfires that scammers are actively targeting vulnerable victims through false job postings, impersonation of government employees and FEMA agents, phone/text phishing attempts, unsolicited in-person solicitations, and fraudulent donation schemes. Law enforcement recommends verifying credentials through official channels, avoiding sharing personal information via social media or unsolicited contacts, never paying through gift cards or cryptocurrency, and trusting your instincts if something feels suspicious. County Sheriff Robert Luna pledged that perpetrators—including those impersonating firefighters to commit burglaries—will face prosecution.
dailydodge.com
· 2025-12-08
Wisconsin's Division of Trade and Consumer Protection reports an increase in impersonation scams where callers spoof law enforcement phone numbers to pressure victims into immediate payments for alleged crimes, missed jury duty, or unpaid fines. The scammers may call multiple times from different numbers and request cash, gift cards, or cryptocurrency—forms of payment that legitimate law enforcement never demands. Consumers should hang up on suspicious calls and independently verify by contacting the agency directly using a verified phone number.
2news.com
· 2025-12-08
California's Attorney General warned of scams targeting wildfire victims and also highlighted illegal price gouging occurring during the state of emergency. The warning appears to address fraudulent schemes exploiting disaster victims seeking aid and services during wildfire recovery.
goldrushcam.com
· 2025-12-08
The Kern County Sheriff's Office warned residents of a phone scam in which callers impersonate law enforcement (claiming to be "Sergeant Youngblood") and demand electronic payments via gift cards or bitcoin to resolve alleged warrants, missed court appearances, or jury duty violations, threatening arrest if payment is not made. The scammers use spoofing technology to display the Sheriff's Office callback number and may pressure victims to visit the Sheriff's Office afterward. The Sheriff's Office clarified that legitimate law enforcement never requests payment over the phone and that warrant arrests are made in person, not via phone calls.
themortgagepoint.com
· 2025-12-08
Rental scams are increasingly affecting U.S. renters, with 93% believing such scams are common and 90% worried about becoming victims, according to Rently's Rental Scams and Fraud Report. Facebook hosts 88% of fraudulent listings, and victims reported significant financial losses, with 62% losing over $500, 48% losing over $1,000, and 8% losing more than $5,000 through fake deposits, application fees, and rent payments. The report calls for stronger fraud prevention measures including identity verification, secure payment systems, and public education to combat the emotional and financial harm these scams inflict on renters.
abc7ny.com
· 2025-12-08
Two families in the Peekskill School District in Westchester County received phone calls from scammers claiming to have kidnapped their children and demanding ransom, with perpetrators using AI-generated voice technology to replicate the victims' voices obtained from social media. The FBI has issued a nationwide alert about this emerging scam trend. Experts recommend families establish a verification pause and create a password or phrase to confirm legitimate calls, as the scam's success relies on pressure for immediate action.
newslj.com
· 2025-12-08
This article compiles multiple elder fraud alerts and prevention tips: A Wyoming resident received an extortion email falsely claiming malware access (a common scare tactic), while another fell victim to a phishing email impersonating Microsoft to steal account credentials. The Identity Theft Resource Center predicts cybercrime will surge in 2025 due to reduced government resources and increased AI exploitation, while identity fraud cost Americans $43 billion in 2023—with veterans particularly vulnerable, losing $477 million that year to service-focused scams. Key prevention measures include verifying sender identities, avoiding suspicious attachments and links, using strong passwords with multi-factor authentication, and monitoring credit reports regularly.
usatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are exploiting the California wildfires by creating fake donation pages and impersonating charities and government agencies to steal money from people wanting to help and to target disaster victims seeking assistance. People should verify organizations through legitimate channels (such as Give.org), watch for red flags like misspelled URLs and phishing emails, and avoid clicking links from unverified social media ads or unsolicited contacts, as AI-enhanced scams are becoming increasingly difficult to detect.
timesleader.com
· 2025-12-08
A woman from Wilkes-Barre was scammed out of $58,400 after receiving a fake Microsoft security alert on her computer; she granted the scammer remote access to her device, which allowed them to view her bank balance and convince her to transfer funds to a Bitcoin account. Wilkes-Barre Police used the incident to issue public awareness about common scams including phishing, romance, job offer, and tech support schemes, advising residents to verify the legitimacy of contacts before sharing personal information or clicking links.
tuko.co.ke
· 2025-12-08
Kenya's Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act of 2018 addresses five types of online scams: investment scams (fake high-return schemes), phishing emails (impersonating legitimate entities), online romance scams (fraudsters building trust to solicit money), fake e-commerce deals, and SIM swap fraud (unauthorized mobile number takeovers). Authorities emphasize that while legal protections exist, vigilance through verification of legitimacy, strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and immediate reporting to the DCI Cybercrime Unit remain essential defenses against increasingly sophisticated cybercriminals targeting Kenyans.
northwestsignal.net
· 2025-12-08
The Fulton County Sheriff's Office presented on emerging online scams targeting seniors, including impersonation schemes, grandparent scams using AI voice manipulation, counterfeit QR codes, and fake bond collection visits. Presenters advised attendees to verify caller identity through personal questions, watch for international phone numbers marked with "+," and remember that legitimate agencies never request money or warrant information by phone. A local victim lost $10,000 in a fake bail scam, though recovery occurred in this rare case.
dailyexcelsior.com
· 2025-12-08
**Article:** Rahul Dogra - 2025 Cyber Scams in India
This article outlines emerging sophisticated scams in India driven by AI and deepfake technology, including KYC/bank scams where fraudsters impersonate officials to steal sensitive information, job fraud schemes demanding upfront fees for non-existent positions, and digital arrest scams using intimidation tactics to extort settlement payments. Additional scams target elderly individuals through medical emergencies and fake insurance, electricity bill scams threatening service disconnection, and romance scams, with prevention advice emphasizing direct verification with official sources, avoidance of unsolicited links, and independent research before sharing personal
wpst.com
· 2025-12-08
After her 85-year-old mother was targeted by phone scammers who eventually showed up at her home impersonating a bank representative, New Jersey woman Gogie Padilla created Answer Sure, a phone vetting service that re-routes incoming calls through a staffed call center or mobile app where callers must provide a correct password or phrase before being connected. The service is available for both landlines and mobile devices, with users typically seeing a significant drop in scam calls within three weeks as scammers move on to easier targets.
witf.org
· 2025-12-08
The Pennsylvania Association of Community Bankers and credit union representatives are advocating for new legislation to protect seniors from elder financial abuse, citing tech support scams, romance scams, and investment frauds as prevalent threats. They are urging updates to Pennsylvania's Older Adults Protective Services Act to mandate reporting of suspected elder financial abuse and allow banks to place temporary holds on suspicious transactions while notifying law enforcement and aging agencies. The groups emphasize that trained bank employees can serve as critical safeguards against financial exploitation of older adults.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
A Maryland senior lost nearly $600,000 to a government impersonation scam after receiving a spoofed call from someone claiming to be an FBI agent investigating alleged drug cartel activity involving her Social Security number. Over months of contact, the scammer convinced her to withdraw cash for a "government safety locker" while maintaining her silence. Government impersonation scams remain common and cost consumers $76 million in 2023; protection involves knowing that legitimate agencies do not call unsolicited, threaten immediate payment, or request personal information over the phone.
wbur.org
· 2025-12-08
Judith Boivin, an 80-year-old Maryland retiree, lost $600,000 of her life savings in an elaborate government impersonation scam in September 2023. Scammers posing as FBI and local police officers convinced her that her Social Security number was being used for drug trafficking and money laundering, then persuaded her to withdraw her retirement funds in cash under the guise of assisting a federal investigation. This case exemplifies a broader trend of sophisticated scams targeting well-meaning Americans, particularly those with caregiving backgrounds and strong civic values.
ktvz.com
· 2025-12-08
A young couple in Lehigh Acres, Florida was scammed out of $2,650 after finding a rental property listing on Craigslist and sending payment to a fraudulent landlord who provided fake lease documents and remote access to a home via lockbox code. After moving in for a week, the couple was confronted by the legitimate property management company and technically accused of squatting, though the real estate firm ultimately waived their first month's rent and fees after learning they were victims of the scam. The incident highlights the risks of renting through third-party websites and sending money via digital payment apps without proper verification.
theglobeandmail.com
· 2025-12-08
In June 2021, a Toronto woman lost approximately $355,000 in a romance fraud scheme after being befriended on Facebook by a man posing as "Moshe Theodor McNigh" who convinced her to invest in bitcoin through a fraudulent website; the scammer was later identified as Nigerian national Omonkhoa Precious Afure and arrested by Nigerian authorities, resulting in the recovery of $225,000 in December 2021. Romance fraud represents the second-highest-grossing scam type in Canada with $37.2 million in reported losses as of September 2024, characterized by perpetrators grooming vulnerable victims over weeks or months, building trust, an
kdhlradio.com
· 2025-12-08
Scam attempts in Minnesota and globally are escalating, with over $1.03 trillion lost to scammers in 2024, increasingly aided by artificial intelligence that generates convincing phishing emails, fake images, and cloned voices. High-risk scams include imposter schemes (grandparent and romance scams with median losses of $800), government imposter scams ($14,000+ median loss), cryptocurrency scams, employment scams, and task scams (which increased from 5,000 reports in 2023 to 20,000 in the first half of 2024). Scammers exploit recent disasters and events while using AI to intensify existing frau
ottawa.citynews.ca
· 2025-12-08
Ontario Provincial Police reported that scammers in the east region are using multiple fraud schemes, including a recent case where a business employee was manipulated into withdrawing cash and depositing it into a Bitcoin machine in Peterborough. The top scams targeting the region include cryptocurrency investment fraud ("get rich quick" schemes), bank investigator fraud, romance scams, and identity theft/phishing attacks, with Canadians losing an estimated $638 million to fraud in 2024, though actual losses are likely much higher due to significant underreporting.
therakyatpost.com
· 2025-12-08
Between 2020 and 2024, Malaysians lost RM11.23 billion to scams, with cases increasing 53.2% from 27,323 to 41,701 annually, according to Malaysia's Commercial Crime Investigation Department. Phone scams were the most prevalent fraud type with 14,684 cases in the last year, followed by e-commerce scams (7,662 cases) and fake investment schemes (6,337 cases). In response, authorities prosecuted 40.3% of cases and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission blocked 3.1 billion suspected scam calls as of December 2024.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A "smishing" scam targeting Massachusetts drivers has resurfaced, with scammers sending text messages claiming unpaid E-ZPass tolls through EZDriveMA and directing recipients to click links to settle bills before late fees occur. The scam, which first appeared in June and surged again during the holidays, aims to steal personal and financial information by exploiting drivers' desire to avoid charges. MassDOT advises drivers never to click unknown links or provide personal information via text, and recommends validating toll information directly through the official website or phone number (877-627-7745); those who clicked links should contact their bank immediately and file complaints with the FBI's Internet Crime